Creative New Zealand awards $5.2m for arts development

4 Sep 2012

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NEWS

A diverse and vibrant range of arts projects ranging from Pacific musical theatre to multi-media arts, have gained more than $5 million in funding through Creative New Zealand’s Toi Uru Kahikatea (Arts Development Investment) programme.

Thirty-one organisations from around the country, spanning dance and performing arts, literature, festivals, music, theatre and visual arts have been awarded a total of $5,254,447.

“We are pleased to see a strong group of new entrants into this important arts development programme,’’ says Creative New Zealand Chief Executive, Stephen Wainwright. “This investment will allow some young companies to step up and provides a level of certainty for a diverse range of arts enterprises across the country.’’

“It is heartening to see the new work by existing clients which has also attracted increased levels of funding. Okareka Dance Company, for example, will develop and tour new works, and Dunedin’s Blue Oyster Arts Trust will enhance their exhibition and publication programme.”

The 2013 funding programme represents a broad range of artforms and wide geographic spread throughout New Zealand, Mr Wainwright said.

Toi Uru Kahikatea provides funding to established New Zealand arts practitioners, groups and arts organisations for one to three years, to support ongoing activities and infrastructure. The programme is offered once a year.

Nineteen of the 31 successful applicants are existing clients who have applied for ongoing funding through the programme. This includes including eight organisations previously on one-year funding agreements that have now been offered multi-year funding.

In addition to the 31 successful applicants in this year’s funding round, a further 25 organisations already receive funding through the programme because in 2011 they were awarded funding for 2012 and 2013. In total, more than $9m will be invested in 56 arts organisations next year.